The best knee support for soccer is one that fits your budget, you’re comfortable wearing, and more importantly, one that helps you prevent, recover, or play through your knee injuries.
I and our team of physical therapists wrote short reviews of these knee braces after we ran them through our strict criteria. We even included a short buyer’s guide just in case neither of our recommendations are to your liking. Check them out!
Our Top 3 Picks:
Best Recovery: Cocoon Knee Flex Pro
The most versatile and unique knee sleeve we’ve ever tested. Useful for all stages of your recovery. Best in class post-game recovery. Great for ACL repair.
Best Value for Money: ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve
Excellent allround brace. It does everything well without compromising movement and sells at an affordable price.
Best Stability: Tech Ware Pro Knee Brace Support
With 3 layers and straps, this knee brace helps prevent soccer / football injuries without the inconvenience of it slipping while running.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Best Knee Support for Soccer (Top 9)
1. Cocoon Knee Flex Pro
Pros
- Lycra makes it super comfortable
- Weighted compression
- Can be heated or cooled
- Best used before and/or after soccer practice or games
- Effective at preventing injuries and/or limiting knee pain and inflammation
Cons
- Expensive
- Slides down often
The Cocoon Knee Flex Pro has all the perks of a traditional knee sleeve with the addition of heat and cold therapy
It truly is unlike other knee sleeves we’ve ever seen. For one, it uses lycra which is super comfortable and a type of fabric that not a lot of knee brace manufacturers use.
Beyond that, though, the Cocoon Knee Flex Pro houses hydrogel inside its knee sleeve. This gives it the ability to be easily heated or cooled. It also gives the compression a bit more weight, making it feel so much better without being too tight.
For soccer players, I recommend using the heat and compression to warm up your knees prior to playing to prevent injuries. After games, use the cold to limit inflammation and relieve pain.
I don’t recommend using this while playing, though. The luxurious lycra almost makes it too smooth, so it slides down fairly often. It’s also expensive, so it might not be the best option if you’re on a budget.
- Material: Lycra, hydrogel
- Size options: S, M, L.
- Color options: Black
2. ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve
Pros
- 360 degrees of compression to reduce pain and inflammation
- Works great for mild to moderate injuries
- Practical price
- Moisture-wicking fabric
- Comfortable and durable
Cons
- Not for unstable knees
- Not for severe knee issues
The ArmaJoint Compression sleeves are simple, effective, and cost-efficient.
These knee sleeves from ArmaJoint is made from high quality nylon and spandex, making it comfortable, durable, and moisture-wicking. Not to mention, they can grant any soccer player 360 degrees of compression.
All these features make them great for mild to moderate cases of the most common knee injuries in soccer, including meniscus injuries, patellar tendonitis, and sprains to your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament(MCL), and others.
Even better is that they’re sold at prices that make sense.
However, because they’re not as supportive as hinged knee braces, I don’t recommend using them to treat knee injuries that are severe enough to make your knees unstable.
- Material: 80% nylon, 20% spandex.
- Size options: S-XL
- Color options: Black, green
3. Tech Ware Pro Knee Brace Support
Pros
- Lightweight neoprene
- Effectively stabilizes patella and reinforces ligaments
- Great for preventing overuse injuries and acute ligament sprains
- Affordable
Cons
- Velcro straps wear off easily
- Stitching comes undone quickly
TechWare Pro Knee Support uses its bidirectional straps for a unique take on supporting your knee joint.
Like many others, the TechWare Pro is a neoprene knee brace that uses an open patella design. These features alone make it capable of stabilizing your knee cap while also compressing and supporting your knees.
That being said, combining these features with the bidirectional straps and flexible side stabilizers is what makes it one of the best sports knee brace for soccer players.
These added features further bolster your knee’s overall stability, making it great for preventing many injuries, such as an acute ACL injury or an overuse injury that’s related to patellar tracking issues.
Oh, and it’s affordable, too. However, its price also reflects its lack of durability specifically with its stitching and velcro straps.
- Material: Neoprene
- Size options: M-3XL
- Color options: Black only
4.IPOW 2 Pack Knee Strap Brace Support
Pros
- Specifically made for patellar tendonitis (runners knee)
- Effective for managing knee pain right under the patella
- Affordable
- Comes in pairs
- Discreet
Cons
- Will not work for any other injuries except for patellar tendon issues
- One size only (will not fit larger knees)
The IPOW Knee Straps are made for soccer players who don’t want to stop running.
Knee straps like these ones from IPOW are designed to specifically relieve patellar tendon pain from, well… patellar tendonitis (aka jumper’s knee) which is very common in highly active soccer players.
The IPOW knee strap will apply direct compression on your patellar tendon to relieve both pressure and knee pain. However, do note that knee straps aren’t – and shouldn’t be – used to replace physical therapy and proper recovery.
That being said, there are many other options for knee straps on the market but the IPOW made our list because it’s both effective and super affordable, not to mention discreet.
However, it offers no support and no compression anywhere else but below your knees. So, don’t expect it to work if you’re trying to manage a meniscus tear, ACL injuries, or even a mildly swollen knee. It only comes in one size, too, so it won’t fit you if you have larger knees.
- Material: Composite fiber
- Size options: One size fits all
- Color options: Black, blue, pink, white
Recommended: The most effective knee straps in the market
5. Venom Knee Sleeve Compression Brace
Pros
- Feels different but still very comfortable
- Does not bunch up behind knees (effective design)
- Solid compression
- Effectively manages pain and inflammation
- Can improve blood circulation to your knee
- Affordable
Cons
- Durability issues with the fabric and side stabilizers
The Venom Knee Sleeve will not limit your range of motion while still reinforcing your entire joint.
First, what makes the Venom Knee Sleeve unique is its material: knitted nylon. This makes it feel a bit different than most other knee braces we’ve tried but in a comfortably good way. It didn’t bunch up behind our knees when we played with it either and that’s always nice.
The compression was solid, too. It’s more than capable of relieving mild to moderate knee pain while also limiting inflammation and promoting healthy blood circulation. Oh, and did I mention that it comes at a friendly price, too? Absolutely fantastic!
Really, it would have placed so much higher on our list of the best knee supports to play soccer with had it been more durable. The fabric itself wears out pretty easily and the side stabilizers don’t spring back to their original shape if you sit with the knee braces on for too long.
- Material: Nylon
- Size options: S-XL
- Color options: Black only
6. Bodyprox Knee Pads
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good compression
- Bolsters blood flow while limiting inflammation
- Prevents acute injuries from falls
- Affordable (comes in pairs)
Cons
- Will not last long
- Virtually no support
If you’re a soccer player who falls a lot during games, the Bodyprox Knee Pads are for you.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that all soccer players fall to the ground eventually. Unfortunately for me, I’m one of those players who fall more often than others – and I can’t tell you how many times pads have saved me from pain.
Bodyprox pads, in particular, are remarkably comfortable. The compression isn’t as strong as some others on this list but it’s still great for blood circulation and inflammation.
The EVA foam pads also do a good job of cushioning your knee from falls that could lead to bruises and other injuries. They’re pretty cheap, too, especially after considering that they come in pairs.
Although, they’re not all that supportive, so they don’t offer a lot of ligament injury prevention. These things are also disappointingly flimsy. A few heavy falls and they’re basically done.
- Material: 45% polyester, 25% rubber, 30% EVA
- Size options: S/M-L
- Color options: Black only
7. Bauerfeind GenuTrain
Pros
- Worn by pros across many sports
- Omega pad for kneecap stability and pain relief
- With side stabilizers to reinforce knee joint stability
- Can effectively prevent and manage common injuries
Cons
- Expensive
- Slides down from time to time
Bauerfeind’s GenuTrain is German engineering rolled into one of the best knee braces for soccer players
BauerFeind knee braces have been – and are still being – worn by athletes, including professional soccer player Cristian Roldan. GenuTrain, in particular, is their most popular product.
This sports knee brace is equipped with the brand’s signature Omega pad which, by the way, is a large reason why this made our list. Like other knee pads, it stabilizes your knee caps to help you prevent and manage overuse injuries like runner’s knee and jumper’s knee.
Unlike other knee pads, though, it also directly relieves pain and pressure on some of the most commonly hurt parts of your knee. It also has side stabilizers for added support housed by an anatomically shaped compression garment for comfort.
It isn’t perfect, though. For one, it’s ridiculously expensive. It also slides down from time to time which, to be honest, I’ve come to expect of most.
- Material: Knitted polyester
- Size options: 0-7C
- Color options: Black, nature, titanium
8. Shock Doctor 875 Knee Brace
Pros
- Great bang for buck knee brace
- Stays in place
- Bolsters kneecap stability
- Reinforces ligament strength
- Hinged brace that allows full range of motion
Cons
- Sizing can be off (too tight)
The Shock Doctor 875 is the most supportive knee brace on this list
This Shock Doctor Brace has been one of the most well known and highly trusted knee braces for quite some time now – and for good reason! As far as hinged knee braces are concerned, this knee support will get you the most bang for your buck.
While I wouldn’t necessarily call it cheap, it’s price is more than practical considering you’re getting a high quality knee brace that’s massively supportive, stays well in place, and stabilizes your kneecap.
Ultimately, this can help prevent sprains to your ligaments without compromising movement while playing soccer. The open patella design can minimize your risk of developing overuse injuries from patellar tracking issues, too.
However, sizing can be hard to predict even when referring to their chart. Some of my team members didn’t feel comfortable wearing these sports knee braces because they were too tight.
- Material: Spandex, aluminum
- Size options: S-3XL
- Color options: Black only
9. Physix Gear Knee Support Brace
Pros
- Super affordable
- Enough compression to relieve mild knee pain
- No-fuss design but effective
- Wide size range
- Multiple color options
Cons
- Minimal support (not for sprains)
- Rolls down quite often
- Unreliable sizing chart
The Physix Gear Knee Support Brace is your basic compression sleeve.
To get right to the point, there really isn’t anything special about Physix Gear Knee Supports. But, this lack of “special” features is also what makes it so great.
For one, it’s the most affordable option on this list. At least as of writing. So, virtually anyone with change in their pockets can get it.
Beyond price, though, it’s also effective given you pick the right size. Support is minimal so I wouldn’t recommend this for ligament sprains, but it’s great for milder pain.
If you don’t get the right size, however, it would just feel like you wore socks on your knees. It rolls down quite often and can distract you from playing soccer. Unfortunately, their sizing chart can be off more often than I’d like but at least they have a return policy.
- Material: Nylon
- Size options: S-2XL
- Color options: Beige/black, black/grey, black/pink
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Knee Brace for Soccer
Comfort and Stability
For a sport that relies heavily on sudden pivoting, sliding, and stopping, a knee brace that reinforces your joint’s stability can be crucial.
These sports knee braces should effectively minimize the risk of injuries like anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sprains, medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprains, meniscus injuries, and others without restricting your movement.
This can be done with fabric alone for minimal support, side stabilizers if you’re looking for a bit more security, and metal hinges that are bulky but massively supportive.
Durability and Quality
If you don’t think soccer is a rugged sport, you’re not playing hard enough.
You will get bumped, pushed, and undercut. And, if you picked the right knee brace, it should take at least some of that damage so you don’t get injured.
This, in turn, magnifies the need for durability in knee braces. Make sure you get one that suits your play style and how often you play. The rougher and more frequent you play, the tougher your knee brace needs to be.
Cost and Value
We all have budgets, some more limited than others – and that’s totally okay.
This list spans many sports knee braces suitable for different budgets, so I highly recommend checking them out.
But, if in case you wanted to look elsewhere, there should be multiple other knee braces for soccer that’s within your budget. It can be confusing at times but make sure to get the best one that you can afford.
Why you should trust KneeForce
Kris is a physical therapist who specializes in sports rehab and sustainable fitness. His expertise has led him to treat athletes from a wide variety of sports with an even wider array of joint injuries, including those that commonly come from playing soccer.
He also has his fair share of knee ailments – from full-grade ACL tears, torn menisci, and sprains on other knee ligaments. He’s also had to use a knee brace during his recovery from knee surgery and when he was getting back into his sport.
Hence, he draws his medical opinions from both evidence-based knowledge of physical therapy and experience.
For this article, he and our team of physical therapists tested dozens of knee supports, took note of important features, and compared his own findings with other people’s experiences. Finally, he chose what he found were the best ones.
Conclusion
When choosing a knee brace for soccer, take a hard look at its pros and cons and see if it the good significantly outweighs the bad. If it’s only marginally better, trust us, it’s not worth it and you can find better options.
Our list covers a wide array of knee brace types, all with a different set of features that serve different purposes.
So, if you haven’t figured out what you need from your knee brace just yet, I recommend taking a step back to think it through. Once you have that in your pocket, check out the above products again and see if you find what you’re looking for.
If not, you could always refer to our buyer’s guide to point you to the right direction.
